Environmental Stewardship Regional Practices

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Land use planning efforts, like mixed-use development, can provide a variety of benefits to communities. Baxter Village in York County, South Carolina, and Afton Village in Cabarrus County, North Carolina are new developments that feature aspects of traditional town centers. As members of the Centralina and Catawba Regional Councils of Government, these jurisdictions have signed the COGs' joint Sustainable Environment for Quality of Life (SEQL) resolution and have implemented environmental action plans. The resolution recognizes that the effects of resource degradation cross political boundaries and that environmental protection is essential for healthy communities and sustainable economical development. As a region, despite the state boundary, they recognize that intergovernmental cooperation is necessary for effective resource protection.

Baxter Village and Afton Village are both located in towns about 20 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina, and alongside interstates. With the transportation infrastructure connecting them to a larger city already in place, the "new village" developments are feeling pressure to grow.

Both developments mix residential and commercial uses, which would have been prohibited under strict zoning designations. Shops, restaurants and offices are within walking or biking distance for residents, as are amenities like elementary schools, public libraries, open village greens and wooded areas. Some of the buildings also combine types of use, with residential units available above commercial spaces. The neighborhoods accommodate population growth with diverse types of housing: single-family homes stand alongside two-family homes, row houses and apartment buildings.

Mixed-use neighborhoods give residents the chance to support locally owned and operated businesses that are close to their homes. In addition to assisting the local economy, mixed-use developments also demonstrate environmental benefits. Because the local jurisdictions permitted flexible zoning with smaller lot sizes, the developers could plan for the preservation of open space in and adjacent to the communities. The villages' compact sizes may often promote walking and biking to work or leisure destinations and preserving high standards of air quality through auto travel reductions.

These two villages are examples of the increasing popularity among local jurisdictions of planning for population growth and for environmental sustainability. Although York and Cabarrus counties represent examples near a growing metropolitan center, the mixed-use principle of land use planning is also being adopted by smaller cities and towns.

In 2005, for example, Carrollton, Kentucky (population 3,846) adopted an updated comprehensive plan with technical assistance from the Northern Kentucky Area Development District. The goal is guide future zoning decisions that promote mixing residential, commercial and office space, filling in abandoned sites and avoiding the development of open spaces. The residents of Carrollton recognize a need to envision a sustainable future even though the city expects slow growth rates.

Centralina Council of Governments 1300 Baxter Street, Ste 450 Charlotte, NC 28204 Tel: 704.372.2416 Fax: 704.347.4710 http://www.centralina.org/

Catawba Regional Council of Governments P.O. Box 450 Rock Hill, SC 29731 Tel: 803.327.9041 Fax: 803.327.1912 http://www.state.sc.us/cogs/catawba/

Northern Kentucky Area Development District 22 Spiral Dr. Florence, KY 41042 Tel: 859.283.1885 Fax: 859.283.8178 http://www.nkadd.org/